After all, that’s where people are - and where ministry happens
If the whole world is a classroom, a seminary education shouldn’t be limited to the confines of a neatly landscaped campus. It should be tested against the everyday realities of this world.
We’re blessed to have some of the finest biblical scholars in the nation on our faculty. And they’re joined by pastors, Christian counselors, and other ministry practitioners who work in the marketplace and understand current ministry trends and issues. Most have significant experience serving cross-culturally, both in this country and abroad. And yet they remain accessible and responsive to students. With scholars and practitioners working hand in hand, Bethel Seminary is able to offer a theological education that consistently weaves biblical and theological disciplines into a dynamic, contemporary practice of ministry.
At Bethel Seminary St. Paul you’ll find believers of all backgrounds and walks -- each here to gain a deeper understanding of Scripture, grow in godly integrity, and apply what they learn. We are continually amazed at God’s creativity in bringing people to himself and how he, in turn, leads them to Bethel Seminary.
“God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”– John 3:16
At Bethel Seminary we have a big vision. Our aim is to prepare men and women to proclaim the gospel to the whole world. Effectively ministering to people here or abroad requires training that is sensitive to a host of cultural nuances. We must be prepared to set aside provincial notions and to put on the mind of Christ -- to see the world as he does. This requires us to be vigilant in our adherence to historical evangelical theology, yet determined in our commitment to be culturally sensitive.
World Class Ministry
"My name will be great among the nations…" – Malachi 1:11
The world is accelerating toward God’s promise in Malachi. All around the globe, the church is experiencing explosive growth. In Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe, longtime victims of institutional oppression are now finding real freedom in Christ. They are men and women who are using their new found freedom to make God’s name known worldwide.
Attendant with this burgeoning growth is the emergence of many great evangelical thinkers who bring fresh theological perspective and are able to interpret theology through the filter of their cultural experiences and divergent semantic systems. At Bethel, faculty and students work together to develop critical understanding of contemporary Christian thinking from around the world.
At Bethel Seminary we are committed to the idea that growth happens from the inside out. As imperative as biblical knowledge is, becoming a ministry leader requires an ongoing transforming of the heart and mind. You will find that at Bethel, as you study theological concepts, you’ll experience growth in your spiritual walk. And if you are open to God’s Spirit, he will accelerate the renewing of your mind. The result is that you will emerge from seminary with new insights, a greater appreciation of God’s grace, and a deeper understanding of God’s plan for your ministry.
While Bethel is about the business of developing activist scholars prepared to take historical Christianity to the marketplace of ideas, in the end it’s not about winning arguments. It’s about winning the lost for Christ and providing leadership for the church and ministry agencies. This work requires well-rounded ministers who are grounded in Scripture, growing in godly integrity, and reflecting Christ’s character in all aspects of life.
It’s difficult to express to you in a few short pages the excitement we have for building a seminary that is truly world class. Bethel is a place where men and women from all ethnic groups, backgrounds, and denominations gather to grow in grace, deepen their theological understanding, and enhance their ministry skills. That training takes into account the individual differences we have, but focuses on the thing that binds us together in strong ties of love -- our belief that God sent his one and only Son to die and rise again for the redemption of the whole world.
You may already know seminary is for you. If so, we encourage you to call us today to discuss our application process. On the other hand, you may have been thinking and praying about seminary, but have felt there are just too many hurdles to overcome. Either way, we invite you to discuss your situation with us.
Call today for more information: 800-255-8706, ext. 6288
Bethel’s Heritage and Affiliations
Bethel Seminary is a ministry of the Baptist General Conference churches. Bethel Seminary has been in existence since 1871, and Bethel Seminary San Diego has served the San Diego community since 1977. The seminary is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, which is the accrediting agency for theological schools in the United States and Canada, and by the Commission on Institutions of North Central Associations of Colleges and Schools. Bethel Seminary also holds memberships in Jerusalem University College, the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, the Near East Archaeological Society, the American Schools of Oriental Research, the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education, the National Association of Evangelicals, and the Board of Behavioral Sciences for California.
Doctrine
Jesus Christ is at the center of all theological studies at Bethel Seminary. His virgin birth, sinless life, atoning death, bodily resurrection, and the certainty of his return are the foundations of historical evangelical theology and are the basis of a Bethel education. The absolute authority and total trustworthiness of Scripture as the standard for Christian living and church order are central to everything that is done at Bethel. Bethel endorses the affirmation of faith of the Baptist General Conference. While always forthright in teaching the essentials of Christian theology, Bethel maintains an atmosphere of tolerance for divergent views in peripheral areas of interpretation.
enough for theologians to endlessly ponder its implications, simple enough for grade-scholars to make their own. I love John 3:16.
Think of it. God sending his only Son for every person on earth, including you and me. A gift of such inestimable value so freely given. Still, billions of the world’s population -- boys, girls, women, and men -- have yet to realize the wonder of that life-transforming verse.
While our faculty members don’t walk around campus carrying John 3:16 placards, they do carry the verse in their hearts. It’s a constant reminder of our world class vision. Our aim is to prepare men and women to proclaim the gospel to the whole world. That requires us to be at our best every day to help our students hone critical thinking skills, develop sound character, and build the leadership skills necessary to advance the gospel. Our top-notch faculty understand that a seminary education must be more than informational -- it must be transformational for the students.
World class? It’s not a matter of Bethel striving to be better than other seminaries. It’s about being driven to be at our best as we strive to make Christ known.
How about you? Are you ready to prepare to make a difference in the world for Christ?
We prepared this viewbook to help you decide whether Bethel Seminary is for you. So please take a few minutes to read about Bethel. Then call us. We would love to sit down with you, discuss your life situation, and pray with you regarding your decision.In His work together,
Leland Eliason
Provost and Executive Vice President
Bethel Seminary©1999 Bethel College and Seminary
